Don Roth kept quiet about his experience with prostate cancer for two years, even though he contributes about $100,000 a year to cancer-awareness organizations.

“I'm like a lot of males who choose to keep their feelings in,” says Mr. Roth, 71, owner and CEO of AmpliVox Sound Systems LLC in Northbrook.

But a year ago, Mr. Roth found himself in a group of cancer survivors, all sharing their own stories, at a breast-cancer awareness event. The women's candor changed his mind about revealing his history. “Now I have zero compunction about sharing,” he says. Sharing, he adds, makes his charitable contributions more credible and has helped him feel better overall. “I feel cleansed, refreshed and more impactful, if you will.”